Distinct solution to a linear congruence (Q611904)

The authors study the linear congruence in \({\mathbb Z}_n\) \[ a_1x_1+a_2x_2+\dots+ a_kx_k=1. \] Let \(\varphi\) be Euler's function. If \(k\leq \varphi(n)\) and \(a_i\in {\mathbb Z}_n^\times\) (the multiplicative group of \({\mathbb Z}_n\)) then there exist distinct solutions \(x_i\). Let \(n\) be an odd prime, \(k\leq n\), and \(\gcd(a_1,a_2,\dots,a_k)\in {\mathbb Z}_n^\times\). There exist distinct solutions \(x_i\) if and only if either \(k<n\), or not all of the \(a_i\) are equal.